A new year is here, and with it comes fresh opportunities to dream big and focus on the work ahead. For churches, January is an ideal time to set goals that align with your mission and inspire your congregation. Whether you’re looking to deepen discipleship, increase attendance, or expand outreach, purposeful planning will set the tone for the year.
5 Steps to Set Church Goals for 2025:
Pray and Reflect – Before diving into numbers or action plans, take time to pray, listen, and reflect. What is God calling your church to prioritize this year? Gather your leadership team to discern together.
Set SMART Goals – Vague goals lead to vague results. SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound) clarify your focus and inspire action. For example: “Increase the number of families connected to our church by 20% through new programs by June.”
Identify Your Key Audiences – Who in your community are you serving? Moms and young families are a natural focus, as they’re often searching for connection, support, and spiritual growth. Programs like MomCo create meaningful opportunities to engage with these families.
Equip Your Teams – Goals are only as strong as the teams working toward them. Invest in leadership development, volunteer training, and clear communication so everyone understands how their role ties into the bigger picture.
Celebrate Progress – Setting goals is just the beginning. Regularly revisit them, celebrate small wins, and adjust as needed to keep momentum alive.
Practical Tip:
Break annual goals into quarterly benchmarks. For instance, if your goal is to launch a MomCo group by June, create a roadmap for outreach, volunteer recruitment, and kickoff events in the months leading up to it.
This year, let your goals reflect the heart of your mission. Whether it’s growing your church’s reach, deepening relationships, or serving your community in new ways, strategic planning will make 2025 a year of meaningful impact.
